Have a look at some of the previous reports of some of our consultants, some of them available for download.

by Bart van Engeldorp Gastelaars

This 2005 research was the first in-depth study, researching all aspects of the worldwide phenomenon of hunting. It describes a short history of hunting, motives and forces behind hunting, societal visions of hunting, types of hunting, hunting methods and the societal constraints of hunting. This study provides a theoretical framework which enables to analyse and discuss this subject thoroughly, taking into account all different facets.

Interview with Bart van Engeldorp Gastelaars about 'Hunting in Perspective' in the Nederlandse Jager (magazine of the Royal Dutch Hunting Association) by Eimer Wieldraaijer. 3,8 Mb - Dutch only

Edited by J. Dénise Welch

This 2007 report focused on societal support and conversion investments for small farmers in Brazil and other tropical and sub-tropical zones wishing to adopt Integrated Crop Livestock Zero Tillage (ICLZT) farming systems. The report explored the results of Brazilian farmers with this type of system by highlighting existing case studies resulting in minimized soil erosion, increased crop yields, increased soil biological activity and nutrient cycling, reduced market and climate risks and improved profits. The report ends with policy recommendations for promoting ICLZT in tropical and sub-tropical regions.

by J. Dénise Welch, Zeinab Anvarian and Gemma Aguilar

As part of the June 2006 Leiden University Honours Programme, Biosecurity and International Enviromental Treaties, the group was tasked to analyze The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. This important protocol was adopted as a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and specifically deals with protecting biological diversity from the potential risks posed by living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology. The group chose to focus on indigenous Mexican farmers who were party to genetically modified maize coming from neighboring countries and whose unawareness of the fact that they were being given transgenic maize directly conflicted with the aims of article 26, point 2 of the protocol.

by J. Dénise Welch

This 2005 MSc research project was a combination of socio-economic and biodiversity field research in the western peat district of the Netherlands with the aim of creating an Agri-environment scheme intended to pay farmers for amphibian diversity as a "farm product".

Out of six amphibian species determined by this project's field sampling to breed in the western peat district, farmers were effectively able to locate adult and egg clumps of the common green frog complex (Rana esculenta synklepton) in exchange for direct payment. The results were submitted to the central government as part of an agri-environment scheme to promote biodiversity in farm ditches; called "Het Sloot Experiment".

by J. Dénise Welch, Ben Wieder and Wai-kin Soo

This 1998 BS thesis focused on Beaver damage along the Cherry Glen recreation zone in Saylorville Reservoir in the state of Iowa, USA. This multiple-purpose man-made reservoir provides drinking water, recreation and nature conservation and is managed by federal park rangers. The study analyzed the girdling by adult beavers of century-old Bur oaks (Quercus macrocarpa) in the vicinity of a busy recreation zone that included a bicycle path and hiking trails. The study focused on a win-win situation for species and soil conservation, human recreation, and wildlife management.

by J. Dénise Welch

As part of a contingent of foresters from Iowa State University, this 1997 month-long excursion consisted of homestays with indigenous families in villages in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Students learned about traditional methods of Mahogany plantation management and rotational crop management (milpa) systems, while also gaining first-hand knowledge of select medicinal plants used by the village inhabitants. A final research paper related to forestry management and biodiversity conservation was submitted with the combined results of the papers used to bolster efforts by Mexican non-profit organizations to convince the government of the added economic value of tropical forest conservation.